The Geek Mythologies

Album: Red Light Syndrome

I was hungover one day back in late 2000, just lying in bed watching tv when a music video caught my eye. It was called Hey Little and I was instantly mesmerised by the tune and visual impact of the video. I then went on a quest to find out who and where I could find out more about this band called Pluto. Internet searches lead me to find out that in 2001 the Auckland based band would be releasing there debut album Red Light Syndrome. So patiently I waited and saved up my $ and when the day finally came I got it, rushed home and put it on. And man the wait was worth it!.

Starting of with a beautifull accoustic lead in, Moscow Snow sets the tone for what i belive to be one of the best albums in my collection, though one I neglect to play on a regular basis. The opening track progresses picking up tempo and volume, building up to multiple climaxs, not to different to great sex, and if I was going to compare this track to anything I would have to compare it to sex!.

Next up, Bananas in the mist then She’s jive, two songs that pick up the beat and give you a happy feeling, also both of which were released as singles and made into entertaining music videos. I cant help but smile when i see the vids or hear the songs, they just give me a warm fuzzy feeling!.

But this album is not all about great sex and warm fuzzy feelings, no its all most bi-polar. I can be happy and cheerfull one moment, then dark and depressed the next. the next 3 tracks (Drag strip girls, Hey little and Buttermilk)

bring the mood down abit, with mostly accoustic guitar work and interesting lyrics. Then track 7, Stick with it, brings it back up with an electric eclectic style. Once again this track was released for radio play as a single and also had a video made for it.

Just as tracks 8,9 10 and 11 (Product, Field2Cows, Playful Partner and Noon) bring some semblance of order to the album, track 12 Cards, then slows you down with its slow, melodic pace, maily piano with accoustic and drum backing, and with some very stirring lyrics. Keeping in tune with its bi-polar nature, the 13th and final track, Candy Arse blasts you with a punk rock style song, with dj style scratchings mixed in with it. Certainly a track to end the album with a blast!.

Overall I would give Red Light Syndrome a 9.5 out of 10. It is such a pitty that Pluto disliked the album and moved away from this style for there 2nd album Pipe Line Under The Ocean. At the time of Red Light Syndrome, Pluto had been battling to overcome problems with there record label and they felt like Red Light Syndrome was not what they wanted to accomplish. They felt they got it right with Pipe Line Under The Ocean, an album that I got and found disappointing, so much so that I still havent got there 3rd album Sunken Water. I think it is such a shame that the band felt this way and left Red Light Syndrome to die a slow and lonely death. It may be hard to find now at your favourite record store, but if you do, slap down the dollars, I think it is well worth it.